Heteronormativity in early childhood
Why does heteronormativity matter in the Early Years?
Heteronormativity is premised on a binary understanding of gender and relationships:
that the only two genders are ‘men’ and ‘women’,
and that relationships should typically be between one person from each of those groups.
It is harmful to LGBTQ+ people as it means that they have to work against an assumed reality, as opposed to more diverse concepts of gender and relationships being accepted as possibilities.
Although heteronormativity grants cisgender heterosexual people a significant level of privilege, it can also cause them harm through the expectation of distinct gender roles both in relationships and in wider society.
Unlearning heteronormativity is therefore essential in striving for equity and social justice in the early years.
The impact of heteronormativity in early childhood can be seen in the ways society expects, either implicitly or explicitly, girls and boys to dress, behave and play in separate yet complementary ways. For example, girls being given dolls to look after and boys being expected to enjoy ‘rough and tumble play, or when an offhand comment is made that a boy has a ‘crush’ or ‘fancies’ another girl.
There is then a presumed path of a future relationship with someone from the 'opposite' gender, and a set of expectations about what each person should bring to that relationship. For example, even before babies are born the first clothes, toys, and bedrooms prepared for them will be designed to fit a stereotype of what a boy or a girl should like.
Slogans such as "Ladies man," and "Sorry boys, daddy says I can't date until I'm 30," are unfortunately not uncommon on baby grows and children's clothes. This is often overlooked as being playful and innocent but the sexualisation of babies and children as well as the expectation of heterosexuality it sets can be deeply harmful.
You can read three articles on this for Famly at the links below:
https://www.famly.co/blog/heteronormativity-in-early-childhood
https://www.famly.co/blog/heteronormativity-in-early-childhood-part-2
https://www.famly.co/blog/heteronormativity-in-early-childhood-part-3